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Call me crazy but I think Bernard Pierce could challenge Ray Rice for the Ravens’ starting running back spot.

Yes, this season.

Rice and his wife Janay addressed the Baltimore media Friday regarding their February 14 altercation in Atlantic City, NJ. Rice did most of the talking and expressed his regret and apology to the Ravens organization and to his fans.

In my opinion, the Ravens will not suspend Rice. However I do believe a six game suspension from the NFL isn’t out of the question. Roger Goodell doesn’t play games. He sets a clear standard that detrimental conduct won’t be tolerated. Regardless of the number of games, a suspension is very likely.

Besides filling in for Rice, I think Pierce could win the job outright. I know Rice has the better career stats and I know Pierce is nursing a previously torn rotator cuff, but head coach John Harbaugh expects Pierce to be ready to go for training camp.

Assuming both players are healthy at the start of the season, which one should start?

Since 2012 (when Pierce entered the NFL), Rice has been Baltimore’s starting running back in 31 of their 32 regular season games. In those games, Pierce has gained only 43 percent of Rice’s yardage (1,119-2,602), but Pierce has been given only 48.6 percent of Rice’s touches (287-590).

Both backs were nicked up in 2013, so let’s focus on the 2012 season. Pierce ran better (4.9 yards per carry) than Rice (4.4 yards per carry). On the flip side, Rice was better in the passing game (7.8 yards per reception) than Pierce was (6.7 yards per reception).

Even going back to their college days, both Rice and Pierce played equally well. In his time at Rutgers Rice averaged 5.4 yards per carry, 9 yards per reception and scored 50 touchdowns (49 rushing, 1 receiving). When Pierce played at Temple he averaged 5.4 yards per carry, 9.4 yards per reception and scored 54 touchdowns (53 rushing, 1 receiving).

What’s more detrimental to Rice is the absence of fullback Vonta Leach. For so many of Rice’s big plays, Leach led the way. Now he’s no longer on the team. Many of Pierce’s biggest plays have come out of the single-back set.

Regarding Baltimore’s new offense, it seems to me like Pierce is a better fit. He’s a glider and excels at the stretch run. His stiff arm is powerful, his balance around the edge is fluid and he maximizes yardage.

Am I saying that right now Pierce is better than Rice? No. I’m saying by the time training camp ends, Pierce will have made a strong case to at least split touches with Rice.

Rice is on Baltimore’s books for three more years to the tune of $24.25 million. Pierce has two years left on his deal, during which he’s set to earn $1,507,792.

Rice is earning 16-times more money than Pierce is, but he’s only gaining half of a yard more than Pierce since 2012 (on average).

At some point you have to refuse to let salary dictate playing time and evaluate your young players by giving them substantial touches. In my opinion, that time for Pierce begins this September.

Let’s see what he’s got. If he’s not up to Rice’s standard, you’ve done your due diligence. If Pierce earns and sustains the starter’s role, you’ve increased the asking price for any teams that want to make a trade.

At the very least, it’s worth a shot.

Who will start more games at RB in 2014 for the Baltimore Ravens?

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About Mike Fast

I was born and raised in Baltimore. But after a year at York College of Pennsylvania, I transferred to Towson University. At York and Towson, I hosted various radio shows, wrote for the school paper, spoke on a panel RE: college game day presentation at IBS conference in Manhattan and was a public address announcer for multiple sports.
Since 2012, I've been able to cover the Ravens during their training camp as well as work for Johns Hopkins during their home men's lacrosse games.
A life-long goal was realized when I got to attend Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans and witness the Ravens triumph over an excellent 49ers team. What an experience!
If you choose to do so, follow me on twitter: @MikeFastJr. More from Mike Fast

I think they're both talented backs who performed poorly last season for a variety of reasons. The main one was probably the offensive line, but health and conditioning were also major factors. If they both return at 100% (a big if), then I think Rice should remain the feature back when he's not serving a suspension. I don't think Leach's absence will affect Rice too much, as he was very productive before we had Leach.

The prototype RB for Kubiak would be Foster who combines the one cut power of Pierce with the acceleration of vintage Ray Rice. Pierce will perform better in a stretch, ZBS rushing game vs. what he's done iso far in 2 years (iif he can stay healthy), and neither one is particularly good in pass protection, but I'd rather have Rice's experience and resourcefulness. He can still hurt teams if he gets loose in space (dump-off passes, screens. etc.). Both of them better hope the OL gels and LG & RT get settled.

Filmstudy - Filmstudy is a sophisticated and comprehensive statistical analysis of the Ravens defense that incorporates a participation-by-play tracking system. This unique analysis is the brain child of the author and provides our readers with the real story behind the Ravens’ top end defensive results in the National Football League. Make Russellstreetreport.com the source for all of your Ravens football news and the forum to talk about what the Ravens fans want to hear most.

Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Battle Plans - During the season, you can expect to find thoughtful analysis in each of our Game Previews. We bring out the chalk and then talk X’s and O’s. In the offseason, Dev Panchwagh — The Scientist, digs beneath the surface and serves up insightful commentary on issues facing the Ravens and the NFL. School is in session!